Tel Aviv, Israel

Visiting US President Joe Biden conveyed to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu his belief that a hospital strike in Gaza appeared to have been carried out by "the other team," referring to Palestinian militants.

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He said he was "sad and outraged" by an explosion at the hospital in the Gaza Strip which Hamas said killed hundreds of people.

Later, when he was asked by journalists why he was convinced that Israel wasn't behind the Gza hospital explosion, he said that his assertion was based on a data shared by the US Defence Department.

"The data I was shown by my defence department," he said.

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Biden expressed his support for Israel's account of the devastating hospital strike in Gaza during his solidarity visit to the nation on Wednesday (Oct 18). 

"I was deeply saddened and outraged by the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday. And based on what I've seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you," Biden said as he opened a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv.

The hospital strike, which occurred in Hamas-ruled Gaza, led to a significant number of casualties.

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According to health authorities in Gaza, the explosion resulted in the deaths of between over 500 people and was attributed to Israeli airstrikes. In contrast, the Israeli military contended that Palestinian militants were responsible, citing a misfired Islamic Jihad rocket and promising to provide evidence to support their claim. It also claimed that the casualty numbers were inflated.

President Biden stressed the need to differentiate between Hamas and the broader Palestinian population, highlighting that Hamas's actions have brought suffering to Palestinians. He expressed his desire for Prime Minister Netanyahu to ensure the delivery of life-saving aid to innocent Palestinians who have been caught in the crossfire.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Israel had agreed to collaborate with the US on a plan to allow aid into Gaza, which has been under siege and bombardment for 12 days, and has been subject to an Israeli blockade for 16 years. The situation in Gaza remains dire, and Israel has even raised the possibility of a ground invasion in response to a severe assault by Hamas militants on October 7.

Biden commended the courage, commitment and bravery of the people of Israel. He praised their resilience in the face of adversity and expressed his pride in visiting the nation.

Also read | US foils drone attack on troops in Iraq, hours after Gaza hospital blast

What did Netanyahu say?

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who had faced criticism domestically following the deadliest attack in Israel's history, extended a warm welcome to President Biden. Netanyahu noted the significance of Biden's visit, considering it the first visit by an American president to Israel during a time of war.

"There's only one thing better than having a true friend like you standing with Israel and that is having you standing in Israel," Netanyahu said.

Biden has been scrutinised by the rival Republican Party for his stance on Israel, ahead of an election year where the Democrat is seeking another term.

Furthermore, Netanyahu used the opportunity to call for global unity against Hamas, drawing parallels between the need to unite against this organisation and the historical unity displayed in confronting the Nazi regime and ISIS. He assured President Biden of Israel's determination to defeat Hamas and eliminate the threat it poses.

The situation in the region remains fluid, with both sides committed to their respective positions.

As President Biden's visit signals a renewed focus on the conflict and humanitarian concerns in the region, the international community continues to closely monitor developments.

Also watch |  Protests erupt after attack on Gaza Hospital

Hamas' reaction on US support to Israel

Hamas criticised the United States on Wednesday, accusing Israel's long-standing ally of being involved in the ongoing airstrikes in Gaza, following a deadly hospital strike that health officials claim resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people.

"The continued endorsement of the Zionist narrative by the US administration makes it complicit in the occupation's massacres and the Baptist hospital massacre in Gaza," the group said in a statement.

(Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.)

(With inputs from agencies)

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